15 White Fish Recipes with Garlic That Will Hook You

White fish and garlic are a match made in heaven! These two ingredients create some of the most flavorful, yet simple dishes you can make at home.

Whether you lean toward cod, tilapia, halibut, or snapper, adding garlic brings out the natural flavors and adds its own distinctive kick.

These 15 white fish recipes with garlic offer quick and healthy dinner options that are perfect for busy weeknights.

From Mediterranean baked fish with fragrant garlic and herbs to simple sautéed fish with garlic butter, these recipes transform mild fish into mouthwatering meals.

Garlic doesn’t just taste good with fish, it’s good for you, too! It contains allicin, which has powerful antioxidant properties that support heart health and boost immune function.

Lemon Garlic Cod

Looking for a quick and delicious fish dinner? Lemon garlic cod is a perfect choice!

This simple dish combines the mild, flaky texture of cod with bright citrus and aromatic garlic. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity.

Fresh cod fillets are enhanced with zesty lemon juice and minced garlic. It’s a mouthwatering combo that’s tough to beat.

Cod works perfectly for this dish because it has a mild flavor that absorbs the garlic and lemon beautifully. The fish bakes to a tender, flaky finish in just minutes.

It’s low in carbs and fits into many dietary plans, including Paleo and gluten-free diets. For a complete meal, try serving your lemon garlic cod with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad.

The light, refreshing flavors pair well with almost any side dish. The cooking process is straightforward enough for beginners, but the results are impressive enough for a special dinner.

The lemon-garlic aroma that fills your kitchen while it bakes is just fantastic!

Garlic Butter Cod Recipe

Cod fish makes an excellent weeknight dinner option because it cooks quickly and tastes delicious.

One of the most popular ways to prepare this versatile white fish is with a simple garlic butter sauce. This dish takes only about 15 minutes to prepare from start to finish.

The tender fish fillets develop a beautiful golden crust when pan-fried properly. For the best results, pat the cod fillets dry before cooking.

This helps them brown nicely and prevents sticking to the pan. The magic happens when butter melts in the pan with fresh garlic and lemon zest, creating an aromatic sauce that coats the fish perfectly.

You’ll know the cod is done when it flakes easily with a fork and turns opaque white throughout. The internal temperature should hit 145°F for food safety.

Frozen cod works well too! Thaw it overnight in the fridge or in a sealed bag in cold water for about 30 minutes if you’re short on time.

This simple dish pairs wonderfully with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal that feels restaurant-quality but is easy enough for beginners.

Garlic Butter Lemon Baked Cod

Looking for a simple yet elegant fish dinner? Garlic Butter Lemon Baked Cod is a perfect weeknight meal that comes together in just over 20 minutes.

This dish features tender cod fillets brushed with a flavorful garlic butter sauce and brightened with fresh lemon. The combination creates a mouthwatering aroma that will fill your kitchen.

What makes this recipe special is its simplicity. With just 5 main ingredients plus salt and pepper, it’s both budget-friendly and impressive enough for company.

The cod bakes to flaky perfection while the garlic butter creates a delicious light sauce. Serve it with rice or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

This dish works for both casual family dinners and special occasions. The clean flavors let the fresh fish shine while the garlic and lemon add just the right amount of zest.

Cooking tip: Don’t overcook the cod! It’s done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

Sheet Pan Garlic Parmesan Cod

Looking for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner? Sheet Pan Garlic Parmesan Cod is the perfect solution!

This easy meal features flaky white cod fillets topped with a savory garlic and parmesan crust. The fish turns out perfectly tender while developing a delicious golden topping.

If you don’t have cod on hand, you can substitute other white fish like haddock, halibut, or tilapia with great results. Everything cooks on a single sheet pan, making cleanup incredibly simple.

Just line the pan with parchment paper for even easier kitchen duty afterward. This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables or a simple side salad.

From start to finish, you can have this restaurant-quality meal on the table in about 20 minutes. The combination of fresh garlic, rich butter, and savory parmesan creates a flavor profile that even picky eaters will enjoy.

It’s a fantastic way to get more seafood into your family’s diet!

Garlic Butter Cod

Garlic butter cod is one of the easiest and most delicious white fish dishes you can make. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick meal.

The magic of this dish comes from the simple yet flavorful garlic butter sauce that coats the tender fish. When cooked properly, the cod becomes perfectly flaky and absorbs all those wonderful flavors.

You’ll know the fish is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and flakes easily with a fork. The white flesh should be opaque throughout.

This dish pairs nicely with:

• Steamed vegetables
• Lemon rice
• Roasted potatoes
• Fresh salad

For the best results, use fresh cod fillets and quality butter. The simplicity of the ingredients lets the natural flavor of the fish shine through.

Pan-frying the cod creates a slightly crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender. It’s a restaurant-quality meal you can easily make at home!

Cod Fish with Garlic Herb Butter

This delicious seafood dish combines the mild, flaky texture of cod with a rich garlic herb butter that elevates the fish to restaurant quality.

Cod is an excellent choice for this recipe because its subtle flavor allows the garlic and herbs to shine. The star of this dish is the compound butter, which blends softened butter with minced garlic, fresh herbs, and a touch of salt.

This garlic-herb butter creates a luxurious topping that melts beautifully over the warm fish. Preparation is surprisingly simple!

The butter mixture can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until firm. When ready to cook, the cod fillets are seasoned and the butter is placed on top.

Baking the cod with this flavorful butter takes about 15-20 minutes at 400°F. The result is tender, moist fish that flakes easily with a fork.

This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed vegetables or a light salad. Even folks who aren’t big on seafood might find themselves reaching for seconds of this buttery, garlicky cod!

Garlic Butter Fish

Garlic butter fish is a quick and delicious dinner option that comes together in just 20 minutes.

This dish features tender white fish fillets pan-fried to crispy perfection and coated in a savory garlic butter sauce. Halibut, cod, tilapia, and snapper work wonderfully for this recipe.

These firm white fish varieties hold up well to the cooking process while absorbing the rich flavors of the garlic and butter. The secret to this dish is getting a golden-brown crust on the fish while keeping the inside moist and flaky.

Cooking the fish in a hot skillet creates that perfect texture contrast. The garlic butter sauce is what makes this dish truly special.

Fresh minced garlic sautéed in butter creates an aromatic base that coats each fillet with mouthwatering flavor. You can serve this versatile fish dish on its own or pair it with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Simple Sauteed Fish with Garlic

Simple sauteed fish with garlic is a perfect weeknight dinner option when you’re short on time but want something delicious.

This dish takes just 5 minutes to prepare, making it ideal for busy evenings. The recipe works well with various white fish fillets such as cod, halibut, blackfish, or fluke.

Thinner fillets like flounder will cook slightly faster, so adjust your cooking time accordingly. The star of this dish is the garlic butter sauce that adds rich flavor to the mild fish.

The combination creates a mouth-watering meal that tastes like it took much longer to prepare. With just a few ingredients, anyone can create a restaurant-quality fish dish at home.

This dish pairs nicely with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete, balanced dinner. It’s both gluten-free and egg-free, making it suitable for many dietary needs.

White Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce

Looking for a simple yet elegant dinner option? White Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce is a perfect choice!

This dish transforms ordinary fish into something special with just a few ingredients. The best fish to use are thick fillets like cod, halibut, or mahi-mahi.

These varieties hold up well to the cooking process while absorbing the flavors beautifully. What makes this dish shine is the incredible sauce.

The combination of butter, fresh garlic, and bright lemon creates a velvety blanket of flavor that coats each tender piece of fish. The preparation is surprisingly quick!

You can have this restaurant-quality meal on your table in about 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe works well with simple sides like steamed vegetables or rice.

The sauce is so good you’ll want something to soak it up! For a complete meal, consider adding a light salad with a vinaigrette dressing.

The acidity complements the buttery fish perfectly.

Lemon and Garlic Butter Baked Fish, Gluten-Free

This simple and delicious fish dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick meal.

Ready in just 20 minutes, it features flaky white fish fillets bathed in a silky lemon and garlic butter sauce.

The recipe works well with any mild white fish like cod, tilapia, or haddock.

These types of fish have a delicate flavor that pairs beautifully with the bright citrus notes.

It’s also naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions.

No special ingredients or substitutions are needed!

Serve this baked fish with sides like:

• Rice or quinoa
• Mashed potatoes
• Steamed vegetables
• Garden salad

The fish comes out flaky and perfectly cooked every time.

Baked Cod or White Fish With Garlic Butter

Baked cod with garlic butter is one of the easiest weeknight meals you can make.

This simple dish takes only about 15-20 minutes to bake and delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort.

The mild, flaky texture of cod makes it perfect for pairing with rich garlic butter.

The butter melts into the fish as it bakes, creating a mouthwatering sauce that keeps the fish moist and tender.

You don’t need fancy ingredients or techniques, just good quality fish and a delicious garlic butter mixture that does all the heavy lifting flavor-wise.

For the best results, use fresh cod fillets and be careful not to overcook them.

The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

This dish pairs wonderfully with simple sides like roasted vegetables or rice.

Many people also enjoy serving it with crusty bread to soak up the extra garlic butter sauce, nothing goes to waste!

Try adding herbs like parsley or dill, or include lemon slices during baking for a bright, citrusy finish.

Easy Baked Fish With Garlic and Basil

Looking for a dinner that’s both impressive and easy?

Baked fish with garlic and basil is the perfect solution for busy weeknights!

This Mediterranean-inspired dish transforms mild white fish into something special.

The fish gets its amazing flavor from a quick marinade with garlic, fresh basil, and a touch of citrus.

The garlic infuses the fish with rich flavor, while the basil adds freshness.

You can use various types of white fish for this recipe, cod, tilapia, or snapper all work beautifully.

The fish turns out tender and flaky every time.

Serve this delicious fish with lemon rice or your favorite grain.

Add a simple side salad, and you’ve got a complete, healthy meal in minutes!

This dish is perfect for anyone trying to add more seafood to their diet.

It’s light, nutritious, and so tasty that even picky eaters will ask for seconds.

Skillet White Fish with Garlic Butter

Looking for a quick and delicious dinner option?

Skillet white fish with garlic butter is perfect for busy weeknights!

This 20-minute meal transforms simple white fish fillets into a mouthwatering dish.

Cod, halibut, or tilapia all work wonderfully for this recipe.

The magic happens when the fish develops a beautiful golden-brown crust in the hot skillet.

The fillets cook quickly, becoming tender and flaky.

What makes this dish special is the garlic butter sauce that adds rich flavor.

Fresh garlic cloves sautéed in butter create an irresistible aroma in your kitchen.

Most home cooks already have the simple ingredients needed.

You’ll need:

• White fish fillets
• Butter
• Fresh garlic
• Olive oil
• Basic seasonings

The cooking technique is straightforward but effective.

Pan-frying the fish creates a delightful texture contrast between the crispy exterior and the tender inside.

Serve this dish with a squeeze of lemon for brightness and your favorite sides for a complete meal!

Fish Fillets in Creamy Garlic Sauce

This quick and tasty dish brings together tender fish fillets with a rich, creamy garlic sauce.

Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

The recipe uses a clever combination of low-fat milk and vegetable broth to create a creamy garlic sauce that’s lighter than traditional cream-based versions.

You can customize it with your choice of milk, regular, non-fat, or even plant-based options work well.

Any white fish fillets, from cod to haddock or tilapia, will work beautifully.

The fish cooks quickly, about 3-4 minutes per side, until it flakes easily with a fork.

The sauce comes together while the fish cooks, making this truly a one-pan wonder.

Garlic adds punch while the creamy texture coats each bite perfectly.

Serve with a side of vegetables or rice to soak up the extra sauce.

Baked Lemon Fish With Garlic Butter

Looking for a quick dinner that feels fancy?

Baked fish with lemon and garlic butter is perfect for busy weeknights but impressive enough for guests.

This dish features white fish fillets coated in a mouthwatering lemon-garlic butter sauce.

The combination of bright citrus and rich butter creates a perfect balance of flavors.

The best part? It only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish!

The fish bakes quickly in the oven, staying tender and flaky.

You can use any white fish you have on hand.

Tilapia, cod, halibut, or snapper all work beautifully in this recipe.

For extra flavor, try adding fresh herbs like parsley or dill.

Some home cooks also sprinkle a little Italian seasoning for a Mediterranean twist.

Serve your baked fish with steamed vegetables or a light salad for a complete meal.

Rice or roasted potatoes make great sides, too!

Conclusion

White fish recipes with garlic? They’re a surprisingly perfect match. The flavors stay light but still manage to feel satisfying, which is honestly kind of rare for seafood.

Garlic butter takes simple fish like cod, halibut, or tilapia and turns them into something special. Plus, you can usually have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.

Lemon adds just the right amount of brightness to balance out the buttery richness. It’s a combo that just works, even if you’re not a pro in the kitchen.

These recipes are versatile, too. Try pairing your fish with roasted asparagus or a handful of cherry tomatoes—makes for a complete, colorful meal.

And hey, most of these can be done in one skillet, so cleanup isn’t a nightmare.

Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or you’re hoping to impress someone, garlic-infused white fish recipes pretty much always deliver. There is not a lot of fuss, but there is loads of flavor.